Alumni UAB Mentor programme ended with 132 professional-student pairs

The rector summed up the feelings conveyed by this initiative in five words: “illusion, hope, future, emotions and gratitude”. He praised the work done by the people involved in the project, from the director of Alumni UAB, Eva Miquel, to the instructor Lluís Bernabé, as well as the professionals and students who participated in the programme this year as mentors or as mentees. Rector Lafuente congratulated the students in particular for the “confidence” they transmitted in their interventions and said that the UAB Mentor programme is an example of achieving the main objective of the university, which is “to have an impact on the region”.

Annabel Galán, vice-rector for Students and Employability, explained that in this 2024/25 academic year the programme was expanded given the success achieved. According to the vice-rector, this year there have been 132 pairs of students in their last years of degree courses being mentored by the same number of professionals, all trained at the UAB, from 13 UAB teaching centres. Vice-Rector Galán also highlighted the “very high evaluation” made by all the people involved in this year's edition of the UAB Mentor programme.

Alícia Bosch, vice president of the UAB Social Council, said the programme “is already part of the University's DNA” and insisted on the “feeling of belonging” it generates. According to Bosch, the Social Council, as a body that builds bridges between the academic institution and the rest of society, feels very identified with this project, stressing that it opens a possibility of “return” for graduates, who can contribute with their experience to the mission of the very university that paved the way for them as students.

The event continued with the presentation of diplomas for the participants in this year's edition and with the interventions of some of the mentors and mentorees, as well as students. Iñaki Aldaz, mentor of the Faculty of Psychology, and Clara Llensa, mentor of the Faculty of Communication Studies, were pleased to have been involved again in university life and very satisfied not only to have had a dynamic of “binomials” with students but also to have established several connections with professionals from a variety of sectors.

Speaking on behalf of the students were Mariona Bargalló, student of East Asian Studies; Emma Bejarano, student of Political Science and Public Management; Adrian Jiménez, student of Business Administration and Management; and Andrea Pérez, student of Hotel Management. The four thanked the complicity established with the mentors and highlighted the self-knowledge tools acquired during the course, as well as learning the importance of resilience and taking advantage of opportunities. The UAB Mentor programme is, they said, “an experience we would recommend” to all students of the University.

Periodic meetings

A significant part of UAB students face the final part of their studies with great uncertainty about their future options. That is why they wonder how to complete their training or how to boost their incipient professional career in a context marked by challenges as significant as the environmental crisis, the technological revolution brought about by the development of artificial intelligence, big data, etc.

Through the UAB Mentor programme, UAB graduates who have accumulated outstanding professional experience and who have led teams or projects will accompany students in their final year and in their first years as graduates, giving them support in their personal development and boosting their professional career. The aim is for participants to improve their skills, broaden their career prospects and learn about the reality of different sectors thanks to the support of mentors.

The programme ends with the presentation of the action plans developed by the students in a closing ceremony where all those participating in the programme meet. Students can validate their participation for three ECTS credits. Mentors will be integrated into a network where they will be able to share experiences and knowledge.